Lily’s POV
“Lily?.” He called out again. “Aren’t you Lily or am I mistaken?”. He put his hands on my shoulder and my body turned cold instantly.
I screamed internally, kicking my feet up in the air as I cursed my luck. Why did I have to run in to him here of all places.
I turned around rigidly and the moment was our eyes met, a series of emotions passed through his eyes.
I guess I knew what that was about.
“Hi Martin!”. I squeaked out. I just had to run into him of all on this particular day. Just wow.
“How are you doing?, I had been staring at you from across the aisle. I wasn’t so sure it was you though so I decided to come over and find out.” He said while running his eyes all over me.
“Oh really?”. I chuckled nervously. “Well it’s just me.” I said with a small smile.
“Yeah it’s you.” He said slowly while looking at me with what seemed like longing in his eyes. “You, you l… look so beautiful.” He said in a nervous tone.
“Thank you.” I responded with a smile.
I stared back at him in silence until his stare had began to linger on my body and my cart. I was beginning to feel uncomfortable when I blurted out the first thing that came to my mind. “So what are you doing here?”. I blurted out in a pitch high tone.
“Oh I am uhh…”. He chuckled and scratched his chin before clearing his throat. “I’m just here to get some gifts for my cousin’s child. I’ll be visiting them tomorrow so I decided to get a little something.” He said waving the bag of toys and clothes in his cart.
“Oh that’s very nice of you. Have you concluded your shopping?”. I asked.
“No, not really. I think I might need your help also.” He said as he stared at me waiting for my response. “That’s if, if you don’t mind though.” He said with a nervous chuckle.
“Oh no I don’t mind helping out.” I said with a smile.
“Alright, thank you.” He smiled. “So what do you think I should get her?”. He asked as he guided me to the toy section.
“Well for toys, I’m not so sure. You could probably get some cute dolls for her, like this one”. I picked up a cute doll and waved it at him. “It’s cute right.”
“Yeah, so cute”. He said in almost a whisper. It felt like he wasn’t talking about the toy as he did not even look at the toy before responding and as his eyes lingered me more than usual.
“Do you think she would like this?”. I coughed breaking the chocking air.
“Are you okay?”. He rushed towards to me and asked in a worried tone
“Yeah sure”. I pulled away from him. The whole atmosphere was just awkward and tense and I hated it. Why was he even acting like that.
“Alright.” He said and straightened himself.
“So do you think she would like it?”. I waved the toy at him.
“Yeah I guess. You know best.” He responded.
“No, I don’t.” I argued. “This is for your cousin’s child not mine so you should know best. You should know what she would like. This toy is cute and it would be more appreciated by a child that likes playing dress up and makeover.” I explained.
When he had not responded, I looked back at him only to find him chuckling. “What is so funny?”. I asked with raised brows.
“No nothing.” He said with a shy smile. It was all confusing to me. The way he was acting and all.
“Spill it.” I pressed on. Was he laughing at me?, or did he see something else that was funny. If so I needed to know the tea.
“You become much more beautiful when you talk.” He said. “It’s fascinating.” His eyes lingered on me again like he was truly fascinated, like he was in wonder, like it was truly a course of study for him to know why I become more beautiful when I talk.
It felt like we had gotten more closer all of a sudden and the everything else had stilled. He was the only thing or person I could see at the moment. Did I suddenly get butterflies in my belly?. I’m not so sure if I could provide the answer to that question.
“I think we should get this and also check for something else.” I blurted out and ran to another aisle.
Did I just almost kiss Martin?. Did I even want to kiss him seconds ago?, Was I attracted to him now or was I just a neglected hormonal pregnant woman.
“Well since we’ve gotten a toy, I think we should check for a dress or shoes too. What do you think?”. Martin spoke from behind me. He had joined me at the aisle.
“That’s good. How old is she?”. I asked I shuffled through some dresses.
“I think two or three.” He responded.
“Okay, let’s check this section then.” I moved another section with him following closely behind.
We got to section and I shuffled through it for a while and he stood patiently behind me until I found a pretty dress. It was like a dress that a princess would wear for a ball. It was flowy and had some patches of flower shaped pieces all over. “What do you think about this?.” I held up a yellow princess dress.
“I think it looks nice.” He agreed with me almost immediately.
“Alright, have it”. I gave it to him and he put it into his cart. “That’s all right?”. I asked.
“Yes it is thank you.” He said.
“You’re welcome”. I responded. I was waiting for him to go to the counter to pay and leave but he just stood there staring back at me. “Do you need anything else?.” I gave him a questioning look.
“Oh no, not really.” He rushed out. “I even forgot to ask what you were also doing here. Maybe I could help you too. If you don’t mind”. He shifted from foot to foot.
Wasn’t that answer obvious. Please don’t get me started. “I’m here to shop.” I said in a duh tone.
“I know that.” He chuckled nervously. “What are you shopping for so I could help you.” He added.
“Just some things for a baby. Thank you though but I could handle it on my own.” I answered as straightforward as I could and declined politely.
“What baby?. Your sisters or?”. He pressed. I guess he was as inquisitive as I was.
Did he not really know that I was pregnant or he was just messing with me. Which was it. I’m sure the news must have gone viral and that aside, didn’t I look pregnant ?. “Mine. My child.” I provided an answer regardless.
He looked taken aback for a second. Shock was an understatement of what was written on his face. “You’re just so funny Lily. Your sense of humor is one of the many things I admire about you. You’re kidding?”. He chuckled as he raised a brow. Well I appreciate that acknowledges my great sense of humor because not many people do but then again was he in denial or was he just messing with me.
“No, I’m not. I’m pregnant and I’m expecting soon but not too soon though.” I chuckled. “So I’m just shopping.” I rubbed my belly affectionately.
He just stared me with his mouth hung open and his words stuck in his throat. He kept closing and opening his mouth but no words came out. I guess he was really in denial and curiosity finally killed the cat.
“Oh nice. Congratula…. Congratulaaa..” He coughed hysterically. “Congratulations Lily. I’m happy for you.” He said in a stiff tone.
He certainly must be so happy for me. I could see the happiness dancing in his eyes.